Why is plum cake called plum cake?

 The term “Christmas Plum Cake” often confuses why it is called a plum cake when plums aren’t the star ingredient. The answer lies in the cake’s rich history and linguistic roots. In older English usage, the word “plum” didn’t necessarily mean the fresh, juicy fruit we think of today. Rather, it was used more broadly to refer to any dried or preserved fruit, such as raisins, currants, or sultanas.

When the tradition of baking spiced fruit cakes became intertwined with Christmas festivities, especially across Europe and later in India, these dense cakes full of dried fruit and warm spices became known as plum cakes. Over time, especially in regions like Kerala, India, where bakery culture embraced this festive treat, the name stuck, even though actual fresh plums were often not used.

So when you slice into a slice of Christmas Plum Cake, what you’re really enjoying is a celebration of tradition: chunks of raisins, dried cherries or sultanas, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sometimes a splash of rum or brandy all baked into a moist, aromatic cake deeply tied to the festive season. It’s a name rooted in history, not necessarily literal fruit content. One bakery that honours this heritage is KR Bakes, which offers its own seasonal version of this beloved classic.